#GetOnWithIt message to be heard at youth-focused ‘After the Pandemic @ COP26’ event
Edinburgh Napier University will be imploring people to #GetOnWithIt as part of a major fringe event in Glasgow during COP26.
After the Pandemic, a grass-roots community initiative from Glasgow, has revealed a major, free fringe event will take place during the climate summit in the heart of the city at Strathclyde University’s new Learning and Teaching Building.
It is working with the Fair Futures Partnership and a diverse group of global partners, organisations, speakers, musicians, artists, and community groups to deliver ‘After the Pandemic @ COP26’ - a free and open hub for citizens of everywhere to join the climate discussion beyond the COP26 security cordon.
Due to take place 1 - 12 of November, the event programme will include a ‘Climate Dragons Den’ for young people to pitch how their communities can adapt to climate change to an expert panel; talks from participants of ‘Walk to COP’ (a movement of people making pilgrimages from London to Glasgow on foot); panel discussions with climate change and resilience experts such as Sir David King and Alice C. Hill; LEGO® Group ‘Build the Change’ workshops; and performances from Glasgow based musicians - including After the Pandemic’s own ‘Under the Bridge’ ensemble.
With further programme elements set to be announced in the coming days, this unique collaborative effort will create a one-off cultural and creative space for Glaswegians, communities from around Scotland, and visitors from around the world, and organisers are encouraging the public to get involved by registering via the After the Pandemic website.
Particular focus will be placed on young people, education and learning - enhanced by the venue being inside Strath Union’s wing of a £60m new Learning and Teaching Building on a campus of more than 20,000 students. Edinburgh Napier University, Daydream Believers, LEGO® Group, and Pecha Kucha are also partnering to host a dedicated youth hub and festival, and which will implore decision-makers to ‘Get On With It’.
The organisers say that with 25,000 world leaders, delegates and climate activists coming to Glasgow - and decisions of huge importance to the world’s climate, economies and communities due to be made during COP - it is essential that local and national creativity, resilience, and determination in tackling converging pandemic and climate challenges is presented in a welcoming and accessible setting. 
Graham Hogg, After the Pandemic Co-Founder and Director of Lateral North, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Strath Union to bring After the Pandemic @ COP26 to the centre of Glasgow, and also to be partnering with Edinburgh Napier University and such an exciting group of organisations to present an event which is accessible to all. The COP shouldn’t be a closed talking shop for policymakers, government officials, and corporate interests -- communities must be able to take part in the climate discussion. This event will welcome everyone, and compel them to rethink, reimagine and redesign our towns, cities and environment to be greener, more sustainable, and more vibrant…well beyond COP26.”
Ruth Cochrane, Enterprise Lead at Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Arts and Creative Industries said: “Young people are fed up – they see leaders and those in senior positions across the world making slow decisions on climate change and taking minimal action.
“We’re bringing together young people from across Scotland to share their creative solutions to tackle the climate emergency; what it means for them, how we can take positive steps and what solutions they would like to see. The 12 day event will host collaboration and contributions from influential speakers, school children, young people and decision makers, and is going to be one of the key hubs in the city during COP26. Young people are calling for those in power to #GetOnWithIt.”
Ru Wallace, VP for Inclusion at Strath Union said: “COP26 more than any other conference of its kind will have a lasting impact on the lives and futures of young people in Scotland and around the world. It’s fitting that Strath Union play our part in spreading the message that young people should absolutely be at the forefront of climate discussions, so we’re delighted to host After the Pandemic @COP26 in our new union building. Providing a hub for young people to showcase their creativity and take part in the wonderful variety of workshops, panel discussions, talks, performances and more that the team have planned, aligns with our commitment as a union to constantly work towards operating more sustainably. We’re very much looking forward to what’s in store from November 1.”
Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council said: “Glasgow is going to be at the heart of the most important story in the world in the next few weeks and will have the opportunity to have our voices heard as world leaders decide the action needed in the face of the climate emergency. After the Pandemic @ COP26 will be an example of how people from all kinds of communities collaborate to offer solutions and ideas that can change the way we live and, as a result, shape all our futures. Whatever solutions emerge from COP26, they have to represent the change people around the world are demanding to help us all live more sustainably.”
A built environment specific programme will also take place at Construction Scotland Innovation Centre’s facility in Blantyre as part of ‘BE@COP26’, with both events combining to provide a local and regional context to the world’s climate crisis.
Members of the public can find out more and register for the event here.